Poonch Civilian Killings: Army Orders Court of Inquiry
Aman Zutshi
The Indian Army has ordered a court of inquiry to probe the death of three civilians in Topa Peer village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch, who allegedly died in Army custody.
On 23 December, the security forces suspended internet after three locals believed to have been picked up for interrogation found dead near the Peer Topa village where on December 21 a grisly terrorist attack on army vehicles left five jawans dead.
The deceased were identified as Safeer Hussain (43), Mohd Showket (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32) of Topa Peer village of Bufliaz.
The Army has shifted three senior officers – a Brigadier stationed in Surankote area of Rajouri, three army officers of 48 RR.
On 23 December the army picked 20 men for interrogation after terrorists killed 5 soldiers on 21 December.
The Bufliaz police station has registered a case U/S 302 of the IPC against the army officers.
However, the J&K govt has announced jobs for the kins of the deceased. While a search operation is still going on in the woods of Topa Peer village to neutralise the terrorists.
In October 2023, an officer of a major rank suddenly opened fire, hurled grenades on his colleagues during a routine shooting practice session and left at least five Army men, including three officers, injured in a forward camp along the Line of Control (LOC) in the Thanamandi area of Rajouri district.
